George j



(No Model.)

G. J. B-ANOROFT,

SPUR.

Patented Jan.6, 1891;

IVVEETOI? ATTORNEY IOv UNITED STATES PATENT E IcE.

GEORGE J. BANOROFT, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

S P U R SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 444,407, dated January 6, 1891.

Application filed September 8 1890. Serial No. 363,865. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE J. BANCROFT, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spurs; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My. invention relates to new and useful 1mprovements in spurs of the class designed to be clasped or strapped on the heel of the boot or shoe of the person using the same.

Spurs as hitherto constructed have been provided with a pivotally-mounted disk or stellar-shaped rowel, extending radially, from the periphery of which are pointed pro ections adapted to be struck against theanrmal and urge it on to its task. These [JIOJGCUODS are usually sharp-pointed, and hence the spur becomes an instrument of torture and cruelty, the points of the rowel cutting into and lacerating the flesh of the animal to an unnecessary extent.

To persons accustomed to the use of spurs it is Well known that much danger is encountered by persons wearing them by the rowel becoming caught or tangled in the fixtures or attachments of the saddle as the wearer is getting in or out of the same, or that in walking with the spurs on the rowel not infrequently becomes caught or tangled in the grass or weeds and trips the user.

The object, therefore, of my invention is to produce a device which shall effectually obviate these difficulties, the device being of simple and economical construction, efficient for the purpose intended, and possessing the features more particularly hereinafter set forth, the device forming a valuable equip ment for equestrians needing such instruments.

In the accompanying drawings are 1llustrated an embodiment of my invention, where- Figure 1 is a top view of my improved spur; Fig. 2, a side View of the same.

Referring now to these views, the referencenumeral 1 designates the bow or U-shaped portion of the spur, said portion forming the main frame of the spur and being adapted to fit astride the heel of the boot or shoe, where it is securely strapped by means of a strap 2. The extremities of part 1 are bifur cated at 3 into the two divergent arms or parts 4 and 5, said parts being adapted to fit against the sides of the foot and thereby give the spur a broader and better bearing than that of spurs of ordinary single-barred frames. From point 3 arm l extends upwardly and is provided at its upper or free extremity with a loop or ring 6. One extremity of strap 2 is flexibly secured to one of these loops 6, while the opposite extremity thereof is adapted to be buckled into a suitable buckle secured to the free extremity of the corresponding arm or branch 4:. This strap 2 is adapted to fit over the instep of the boot or shoe, and is so constructed that it may be tightened to fit any ordinary foot.

Recurring now to branches or arms 4 and 5, the arms 5 extend downwardly from part 1 from the point 3 and are provided at their free extremities with eyes or loops 7 ,by means of which the chain 8 is secured to the spur, said chain being adapted to fit under the foot in the hollow of the boot and designed tov hold the spur firmly and securely in position and prevent it from slipping upward or off the foot.

At or near the center of the are of the frame portion 1 is an enlarged portion 9, substantially as shown, and for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

Rigidly secured to the frame 1 at or on the enlarged portion 9, and extending backwardly therefrom, is the horn-shaped prod or arm 10. This prod is designed to be used instead of the ordinary rowel, and is preferably conical in shape and is curved or slightly deflected upward, as shown, the free extremity thereof being fashioned into a dull point. Thus it becomes apparent that the enlarged portion 9 forms or serves as a suitable base or bearing for said prod, the prod being secured thereto by means of a screw 11, which passes through an aperture in part 9 and into the prod. It will, however, be observed that any approved means of securing the prod to the bow of the spur may be employed.

Having thus described my im entiomwhat I claim is- 1. A spur consisting of a bow-shaped frame adapted to fit the rear portion of the boot, the free extremities of said frame being bifurcated, one branch of each bifurcated end extending upward and the other downward, suitable attachments secured to these ends for holding the spur securely upon the boot, and a suitable fixed prod secured to the rear central portion of the frame, substantially as set forth.

2. A spur consisting of a how shaped frame having its free extremities bifurcated, one branch of each bifurcated end extending upward and the other downward, a strap secured to one of the upper branches and adapted to buckle into the opposite corresponding branch, the lower branches being connected by a chain adapted to pass under the boot, and a horn-shaped or conical prod having its base fixed to the rear central portion of the frame, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I al'fix my signature in 0 presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE J. BAXCROF'I \Vitnesses:

Wu. MCCONNELL, II. STOVER. 

